U.S. patent application number 12/542219 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-04 for microscope.
This patent application is currently assigned to OLYMPUS CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Keisuke Tamura, Atsuhiro TSUCHIYA.
Application Number | 20100053744 12/542219 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41725062 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100053744 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TSUCHIYA; Atsuhiro ; et
al. |
March 4, 2010 |
MICROSCOPE
Abstract
A microscope includes a main body, a transmitted light source,
and a transmitted-light illumination optical system. The main body
has a substantially C-shape when viewed from side, and is composed
of a lower horizontal portion, an upper horizontal portion, and a
brace portion. The brace portion connects between the lower
horizontal portion and the upper horizontal portion on their rear
side. The transmitted-light illumination optical system brings an
illumination light from the transmitted light source to a specimen
supported by the main body, and illuminates the specimen with the
illumination light transmitted therethrough. The transmitted-light
illumination optical system and the transmitted light source are
removably attached to the lower horizontal portion of the main
body.
Inventors: |
TSUCHIYA; Atsuhiro; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Tamura; Keisuke; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FRISHAUF, HOLTZ, GOODMAN & CHICK, PC
220 Fifth Avenue, 16TH Floor
NEW YORK
NY
10001-7708
US
|
Assignee: |
OLYMPUS CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
41725062 |
Appl. No.: |
12/542219 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
359/388 ;
359/390 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 21/24 20130101;
G02B 21/086 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
359/388 ;
359/390 |
International
Class: |
G02B 21/06 20060101
G02B021/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 27, 2008 |
JP |
2008-218712 |
Claims
1. A microscope comprising: a main body that has a substantially
C-shape when viewed from side, and is composed of a lower
horizontal portion, an upper horizontal portion, and a brace
portion, the brace portion connecting between the lower horizontal
portion and the upper horizontal portion at their rear side; a
transmitted light source; and a transmitted-light illumination
optical system that brings illumination light from the transmitted
light source to a specimen supported by the main body, and
illuminates the specimen with the illumination light transmitted
therethrough, wherein the transmitted-light illumination optical
system and the transmitted light source are removably attached to
the lower horizontal portion of the main body.
2. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the
transmitted-light illumination optical system and the transmitted
light source can be selected from among multiple types of
transmitted-light illumination optical systems and transmitted
light sources that are prepared in advance, and the lower
horizontal portion is configured to removably mount thereon the
transmitted-light illumination optical system and the transmitted
light source interchangeably.
3. The microscope according to claim 2, wherein the
transmitted-light illumination optical system can be selected from
a first transmitted-light illumination optical system and a second
transmitted-light illumination optical system, the first
transmitted-light illumination optical system including at least
one of a color conversion filter and a neutral density filter, the
second transmitted-light illumination optical system including no
color conversion filter and no neutral density filter, and the
first transmitted-light illumination optical system and the second
transmitted-light illumination optical system are interchangeable
with each other, and any of them is removably attached to the lower
horizontal portion.
4. The microscope according to claim 3, wherein each of the color
conversion filter and the neutral density filter is
electrically-driven to be inserted into and removed from an optical
path of the first transmitted-light illumination optical
system.
5. The microscope according to claim 2, wherein the transmitted
light source can be selected from a halogen light source and a
light-emitting diode light source, and the halogen light source and
the light-emitting diode light source are interchangeable with each
other, and any of them is removably attached to the lower
horizontal portion.
6. The microscope according to claim 2, wherein the
transmitted-light illumination optical system can be selected from
a third transmitted-light illumination optical system and a fourth
transmitted-light illumination optical system, the third
transmitted-light illumination optical system including a mirror
that deflects an optical axis of the illumination light, the fourth
transmitted-light illumination optical system including no mirror,
and the third transmitted-light illumination optical system and the
fourth transmitted-light illumination optical system are
interchangeable with each other, and any of them is removably
attached to the lower horizontal portion.
7. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein the
transmitted-light illumination optical system includes a collector
lens that transforms the illumination light from the transmitted
light source into substantially parallel light; a field stop that
restricts the illumination light transmitted through the collector
lens; a mirror that deflects an optical axis of the illumination
light passing through the field stop; and a window lens that
projects a field stop image from the mirror on substantially
infinity, at least the transmitted light source and the collector
lens are removably attached to rear side of the lower horizontal
portion in an integrated manner, and at least the field stop, the
mirror, and the window lens are removably attached to front side of
the lower horizontal portion in an integrated manner.
8. The microscope according to claim 7, wherein the
transmitted-light illumination optical system further includes a
color conversion filter and a neutral density filter, and the field
stop, the mirror, the window lens, and at least one of the color
conversion filter and the neutral density filter are removably
attached to the front side of the lower horizontal portion in an
integrated manner.
9. The microscope according to claim 7, further comprising a
condenser lens that brings the illumination light from the
transmitted light source to the specimen, and includes a first lens
group, an aperture stop, and a second lens group, wherein the first
lens group is contained in the transmitted-light illumination
optical system that is removably attached to the front side of the
lower horizontal portion in the integrated manner.
10. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein the
transmitted-light illumination optical system includes a collector
lens that transforms the illumination light from the transmitted
light source into substantially parallel light; a field stop that
restricts the illumination light transmitted through the collector
lens; a mirror that deflects an optical axis of the illumination
light passing through the field stop; and a window lens that
projects a field stop image from the mirror on substantially
infinity, at least the transmitted light source and the collector
lens are removably attached to rear side of the lower horizontal
portion in an integrated manner, and at least the transmitted light
source, the collector lens, and the field stop are removably
attached to front side of the lower horizontal portion in an
integrated manner.
11. The microscope according to claim 10, wherein a part including
the transmitted light source, the collector lens, and the field
stop that are removably attached to the front side of the lower
horizontal portion in the integrated manner is electrically
connected to a power source for the transmitted light source when
the part is attached to the front side of the lower horizontal
portion.
12. The microscope according to claim 7, wherein a part including
the transmitted light source and the collector lens that are
removably attached to the rear side of the lower horizontal portion
in the integrated manner is electrically connected to a power
source for the transmitted light source when the part is attached
to the rear side of the lower horizontal portion, and the power
source is a power source that is electrically connected to the
transmitted light source, the collector lens, and the field stop
when the transmitted light source, the collector lens, and the
field stop that are removably attached to the front side of the
lower horizontal portion in the integrated manner are attached to
the front side of the lower horizontal portion.
13. The microscope according to claim 1, further comprising a power
source for the transmitted light source, the power source being
removably attached to the main body.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-218712, filed on
Aug. 27, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a microscope including a
transmitted-light illumination optical system for illuminating a
specimen with transmitted light and a transmitted light source.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] As a typical microscope, an upright microscope including a
transmitted-light illumination optical system and a transmitted
light source, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open
No. 2007-148364, is well-known. Such an upright microscope can be
classified, for example, into five types as shown in FIGS. 11 to 15
(conventional examples 1 to 5). Microscopes according to the
conventional examples 1 to 5 are described below with reference to
FIGS. 11 to 15.
[0006] First, a configuration and a mechanism of the microscope
according to the conventional example 1 are explained below with
reference to FIG. 11.
[0007] As shown in FIG. 11, a main body 30 of the microscope
according to the conventional example 1 has a C-shape when viewed
from the side. The main body 30 is composed of a frame 18 and an
arm 17. The frame 18 has an L-shape when viewed from the side. On
the rear side (the left side in FIG. 11) of a base portion 18a of
the frame 18, a halogen light source 1 as the transmitted light
source is arranged.
[0008] An illumination light emitted from the halogen light source
1 enters a collector lens 3 contained in the base portion 18a of
the frame 18, and is transformed into substantially parallel light
by the collector lens 3, aid then illuminated onto a specimen 10
via a field stop (FS) 6, a mirror 7, a window lens 8, and a
condenser lens 9. Specifically, the illumination light, which is
transformed into the substantially parallel light by the collector
lens 3, is collected on an aperture stop (AS) 9b by the window lens
8 and a first lens group 9a of the condenser lens 9, and uniformly
illuminated onto the whole specimen 10 via a second lens group 9c
of the condenser lens 9. The contrast of an image of the specimen
10 can be changed by changing an aperture diameter of the AS
9b.
[0009] Furthermore, the illumination light passing through the FS 6
is transformed into substantially parallel light by the window lens
8 via the mirror 7, and collected on a plane of the specimen 10
(hereinafter, "the specimen plane") by the condenser lens 9, and
also an intermediate image of the FS 6 (hereinafter, "the FS
image") is projected onto the specimen plane. An illuminated region
on the specimen plane (i.e., a field of view) can be changed by
changing an aperture diameter of the FS 6.
[0010] The condenser lens 9 is removably held on a condenser holder
21 with a well-known means such as a circular dovetail (not shown).
By rotation of a condenser handle 22, the condenser holder 21 is
moved up and down, and thus the condenser lens 9 is moved up and
down with respect to a stage holder 20 along with the condenser
holder 21. The specimen 10 is put on a stage 19 held on the stage
holder 20. Therefore, by moving the condenser lens 9 up and down,
the FS image can be projected onto the specimen plane
precisely.
[0011] A configuration of the halogen light source 1 is briefly
explained below. The halogen light source 1 is contained in a lamp
house 2. The lamp house 2 is removably held on the frame 18 of the
main body 30 via a pin 2a. Incidentally, a power source 4 of the
halogen light source 1 is contained in the frame 18, and capable of
being electrically connected to the halogen light source 1 via the
pin 2a. Furthermore, the collector lens 3, the FS 6, the mirror 7,
and the window lens 8 are contained in the base portion 18a of the
frame 18.
[0012] Subsequently, a basic configuration of an observation system
of the microscope according to the conventional example 1 is
explained below.
[0013] As shown in FIG. 11, the illumination light transmitted
through the condenser lens 9 passes through the specimen 10, and is
transformed into parallel light by an objective lens 11, and then
focused into a specimen image by an imaging lens 14 provided in a
tube 13 via a prism 15 and other prisms (not shown), whereby an
observer can make a visual observation of the specimen image
through an eyepiece lens 16. A plurality of the objective lenses 11
can be attached to a revolver 12 that is removably-held on the arm
17 of the main body 30. By rotation of the revolver 12, any of the
objective lenses 11 having a desired magnification can be set on an
optical path, so that an observer can make a visual observation of
the specimen image at the desired magnification.
[0014] Subsequently, basic configurations of the focusing system
and the stage of the microscope according to the conventional
example 1 are explained below.
[0015] As shown in FIG. 11, the stage 19 is removably held on the
stage holder 20. The stage holder 20 is removably held on a movable
guide 23 capable of moving up and down. By rotation of a focusing
handle 5, the movable guide 23 can be moved up and down with a
well-known means such as a gear (not shown) or a rack and pinion
(not shown). By the up-and-down movement of the movable guide 23,
the specimen 10 put on the stage 19 can be moved up and down with
respect to the objective lens 11 so as to adjust the focus.
[0016] When the specimen 10 is moved up and down by the rotation of
the focusing handle 5, the condenser lens 9 is also moved up and
down together with the specimen 10. On the other hand, the
illumination light transmitted through the FS 6 is transformed into
the parallel light by the window lens 8. Therefore, when the
specimen 10 does riot greatly vary in thickness, it is not
necessary to move the condenser lens 9 up and down anew by rotation
of the condenser handle 22 to project the FS image onto the
specimen plane.
[0017] Furthermore, the stage 19 on which the specimen 10 is put
can be moved in an X direction (a direction perpendicular to the
plane of the drawing in FIG. 11) and a Y direction (a horizontal
direction in FIG. 11) by rotation of a stage handle (not shown).
Therefore, an observer can find a desired observation point of the
specimen 10 by rotating the stage handle.
[0018] With the microscope having the above configuration, an
observer puts the specimen 10 on top of the stage 19, and focuses
on the specimen 10 by rotating the focusing handle 5, and then
finds a desired observation point of the specimen 10 by rotating
the stage handle. Thus, the observer can make a visual observation
of the specimen 10 at the desired observation point through the
eyepiece lens 16.
[0019] Subsequently, a configuration and a mechanism of the
microscope according to the conventional example 2 are explained
with reference to FIG. 12.
[0020] The microscope according to the conventional example 2 is
different from the microscope according to the conventional example
1 in that a filter is provided on the optical path of the
illumination light. Except for this point, the description of the
portions identical to those of the conventional example 1 is
omitted.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 12, two filters 24 are removably inserted
between the collector lens 3 and the FS 6 on the optical path of
the illumination light. As the filters 24, for example, a color
conversion filter and a neutral density filter are mainly used. The
color conversion filter is used to increase a color temperature of
a halogen lamp (not shown) thereby converting the color from
reddish color into daylight color. The neutral density filter is
used to adjust the brightness. Although the brightness can be
adjusted by changing the voltage of the halogen lamp, if the
voltage is changed, the temperature color is also changed.
Therefore, the neutral density filter having uniform spectral
transmission characteristics is generally used because there is no
change in color temperature.
[0022] Subsequently, a configuration and a mechanism of the
microscope according to the conventional example 3 are explained
with reference to FIG. 13.
[0023] The microscope according to the conventional example 3 is
different from the microscope according to the conventional example
1 in that a light-emitting diode (LED) light source 25 is included
instead of the halogen light source 1. With the change of the light
source, the power source for the light source is also changed to a
power source 26 for the LED light source. Except for this point,
the description of the portions identical to those of the
conventional example 1 is omitted.
[0024] As described in the conventional example 2, when a halogen
light source is used as the light source, it is necessary to
provide a color conversion filter and a neutral density filter.
However, in the microscope according to the conventional example 3,
the LED light source 25 including an LED capable of emitting a
light in daylight color is used. Therefore, it is not necessary to
provide the color conversion filter. Furthermore, even when the
voltage or the current of the LED is changed, there is little or no
change in color temperature. Therefore, it is not necessary to
provide the neutral density filter. In the conventional example 1,
such filters are not provided even though the microscope employs
the halogen light source. In a case where the color does not
matter, it is not necessary to provide the filters, and thus it is
possible to provide the microscope at a low cost.
[0025] Subsequently, a configuration and a mechanism of the
microscope according to the conventional example 4 are explained
with reference to FIG. 14.
[0026] The microscope according to the conventional example 4 is
different from the microscope according to the conventional example
1 in that it is configured that the specimen plane is located at a
lower position than that is in the conventional example 1. Except
for this point, the description of the portions identical to those
of the conventional example 1 is omitted.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 14, in the conventional example 4, a
thickness of the stage holder 20 in a vertical direction is smaller
than that is in the conventional example 1. Therefore, the stage
holder 20 can be attached to the lower part of the movable guide
23. Thus, the specimen 10 comes down to a lower position. The stage
19 has the same thickness as that is in the conventional example
1.
[0028] Furthermore, in the conventional example 4, the condenser
lens 9 also comes down to a lower position along with the stage
holder 20. Therefore, in case of causing the first lens group 9a to
interfere with the base portion 18a of the frame 18, the first lens
group 9a is contained in the base portion 18a. With this, the
window lens 8 and the FS 6 are shifted to the side of the halogen
light source 1. By such a configuration, a position of the stage 19
on which the specimen 10 is put can be lowered. Thus, a room under
the arm 17 gets larger than that is in the conventional example 1,
so that replacement of the specimen 10 can be performed easily.
[0029] Subsequently, a configuration and a mechanism of the
microscope according to the conventional example 5 are explained
with reference to FIG. 15.
[0030] The microscopes according to the conventional example 5 is
different from the microscope according to the conventional example
1 in that a transmitted-light illumination optical system is
configured to make an optical path straight without a mirror in
place of the optical folding path with a mirror and in that the LED
light source is used as the transmitted light source instead of the
halogen light source. Except for this point, the description of the
portions identical to those of the conventional example 1 is
omitted.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 15, the microscope according to the
conventional example 5 includes the LED light source 25 instead of
the halogen light source 1. With the change of the light source,
the power source for the light source is also changed from the
power source 4 for the halogen light source to the power source 26
for the LED light source. The LED light source 25 is arranged right
below an observation optical axis. The illumination light emitted
from the LED light source 25 is transformed into substantially
parallel light by the collector lens 3, and collected on the AS 9b
by the first lens group 9a via the FS 6, and focused into a light
source image of the LED light source 25. In addition, the
microscope according to the conventional example 5 does not include
the window lens 8, and differs from the microscope according to the
conventional example 1 in this point.
[0032] Furthermore, the illumination light passing through the FS 6
is collected on the specimen plane via the condenser lens 9, and an
FS image is projected onto the specimen plane. Until the
illumination light passing through the FS 6 enters the first lens
group 9a, the illumination light is riot parallel light unlike in
the conventional example 1. Therefore, if the illumination light is
not focused on the specimen 10, the FS image is defocused
significantly. The microscope according to the conventional example
5 is inferior in illumination performance as compared with the
mirror folding type of microscope according to the conventional
example 1. However, the microscope according to the conventional
example 5 does not require the mirror 7 and the window lens 8, so
that the production cost can be reduced. In addition, the LED light
source 25 is arranged right below the observation optical axis, so
that replacement of the LED light source 25 is relatively
simple.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0033] A microscope according to an aspect of the present invention
includes a main body that has a substantially C-shape when viewed
from side, and is composed of a lower horizontal portion, an upper
horizontal portion, and a brace portion, the brace portion
connecting between the lower horizontal portion and the upper
horizontal portion at their rear side; a transmitted light source;
and a transmitted-light illumination optical system that brings
illumination light from the transmitted light source to a specimen
supported by the main body, and illuminates the specimen with the
illumination light transmitted therethrough. The transmitted-light
illumination optical system and the transmitted light source are
removably attached to the lower horizontal portion of the main
body.
[0034] The above and other features, advantages and technical and
industrial significance of this invention will be better understood
by reading the following detailed description of presently
preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in
connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional side view of an example of a
microscope according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0036] FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional side view of another example
of the microscope according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0037] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional side view of still another
example of the microscope according to the first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0038] FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional side view of still another
example of the microscope according to the first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0039] FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional side view of still another
example of the microscope according to the first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0040] FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional side view of an example of a
microscope according to a second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0041] FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional side view of another example
of the microscope according to the second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0042] FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional side view of still another
example of the microscope according to the second embodiment of the
present invention;
[0043] FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional side view of an example of a
microscope according to a third embodiment of the present
invention;
[0044] FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional side view of another
example of the microscope according to the third embodiment of the
present invention;
[0045] FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional side view of an example of
a microscope according to a conventional example 1;
[0046] FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional side view of an example of
a microscope according to a conventional example 2;
[0047] FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional side view of an example of
a microscope according to a conventional example 3;
[0048] FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional side view of an example of
a microscope according to a conventional example 4;
[0049] FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional side view of an example of
a microscope according to a conventional example 5;
[0050] FIG. 16A is a schematic sectional side view showing a
removable configuration of The microscope according to the first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 16B is a schematic rear view showing the removable
configuration of the microscope according to the first embodiment
of the present invention;
[0052] FIG. 17A is a schematic sectional side view showing a
removable configuration of the microscope according to any of the
second and third embodiments of the present invention;
[0053] FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view of the microscope taken
along line X-X of FIG. 17A;
[0054] FIG. 18A is a schematic sectional side view showing another
removable configuration of the microscope according to any of the
second and third embodiments of the present invention; and
[0055] FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional view of the microscope taken
along line X-X of FIG. 18A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0056] Exemplary embodiments of a microscope according to the
present invention are explained in detail below with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
[0057] Microscopes 101 to 105 as examples of a microscope according
to a first embodiment of the present invention are explained below
with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The examples of the microscope
according the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 are
respectively associated with the conventional examples 1 to 5 shown
in FIGS. 11 to 15. The portions identical to those in the
conventional examples 1 to 5 are denoted with the same reference
numerals.
[0058] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the main body 30 of each of the
microscopes 101 to 105 has a C-shape when viewed from the side. The
main body 30 is composed of the frame 18 and the arm 17. The frame
18 has an L-shape when viewed from the side. The arm 17 is provided
on top of the frame 18, and composes an upper horizontal portion of
the main body 30. The frame 18 is composed of the base portion 18a
as a lower horizontal portion of the main body 30 and a brace
portion 18b. The brace portion 18b connects the base portion 18a to
the arm 17 at their rear sides 32.
[0059] The main body 30 includes, as the transmitted-light
illumination optical system, a transmitted-light illumination unit
27 surrounded with a dotted frame. The transmitted-light
illumination unit 27 is contained in the base portion 18a of the
frame 18. The transmitted-light illumination unit 27 is removably
held on the frame 18 located on the far side with respect to an
observer, i.e., on the rear side 32 of the base portion 18a in an
integrated manner.
[0060] Specifically, the transmitted-light illumination unit 27 can
be removably held on the rear side 32 of the base portion 18a by a
well-known means (not shown), for example, by three-sided butting
and screw fixation, or fit with an anti-rotation pin and
butting.
[0061] For example, as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, a case where a
concave portion 34 having a substantially L-shape when viewed from
the side is formed on the rear side 32 of the base portion 18a so
that the transmitted-light illumination unit 27 is removably
mounted in the concave portion 34, is explained. In this case, two
screw holes 36 are formed on the right and left sides of an upper
butting side 18a1 of the base portion 18a. Meanwhile, two screw
holes 38, horizontally-penetrating through the transmitted-light
illumination unit 27 with respect to a front-back direction, are
formed on an upper part of the transmitted-light illumination unit
27 so as to correspond to the screw holes 36, respectively. The
transmitted-light illumination unit 27 is inserted into the concave
portion 34, and an edge face of the transmitted-light illumination
unit 27 is brought into contact with the upper butting side 18a1 of
the base portion 18a. Fixation screws 40 are inserted into the
screw holes 38 on the transmitted-light illumination unit 27, and
driven in the screw holes 36 on the base portion 18a. By this, the
transmitted-light illumination unit 27 can he fixed on the concave
portion 34 of the base portion 18a. The concave portion 34 is
formed on the base portion 18a so that a thickness "a" is left on a
lower end portion of the base portion 18a, and rubber feet 42 are
attached to the four corners of a bottom surface of the base
portion 18a, so that the force acting on a thin and relatively
low-strength portion corresponding to the thickness "a" on the
center side of the bottom surface of the base portion 18a is
reduced.
[0062] In the microscope 101 shown in FIG. 1, the transmitted-light
illumination unit 27 includes the collector lens 3, the FS 6, the
mirror 7, the window lens 8, the power source 4 for the halogen
light source, and the pin 2a. In the microscope 102 shown in FIG.
2, the transmitted-light illumination unit 27 further includes the
filters 24 in addition to the collector lens 3, the FS 6, the
mirror 7, the window lens 8, the power source 4 for the halogen
light source, and the pin 2a. In the microscope 103 shown in FIG.
3, the transmitted-light illumination unit 27 includes the
collector lens 3, the FS 6, the mirror 7, the window lens 8, the
power source 26 for the LED light source, and the pin 2a. In the
microscope 104 shown in FIG. 4, the transmitted-light illumination
unit 27 includes the collector lens 3, the FS 6, the window lens 8,
the mirror 7, the first lens group 9a, the power source 4 for the
halogen light source, and the pin 2a. In the microscope 105 shown
in FIG. 5, the transmitted-light illumination unit 27 includes the
collector lens 3, the FS 6, the LED light source 25, and the power
source 26 for the LED light source.
[0063] Each of the lamp houses 2 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 is removably
held on the transmitted-light illumination unit 27 so as to make
electrical connection and disconnection between the light source
contained in the lamp house 2 and the power source outside of the
lamp house 2. The five types of the transmitted-light illumination
units 27 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 are interchangeable with one
another. Furthermore, the two types of the lamp houses 2 containing
therein either the halogen light source or the LED light source are
interchangeable with each other depending on which one of the
transmitted-light illumination units 27 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 is
combined with the lamp house 2.
[0064] Although it is not illustrated in the drawing, when both the
power source 4 for the halogen light source and the power source 26
for the LED light source can be used as the power source for the
other light source, i.e., as the power source for both the halogen
light source and the LED light source, the halogen light source 1
and the LED light source 25 can be easily changed to the other
light source just by replacing the lamp house 2 to the
corresponding type of the lamp house.
[0065] Furthermore, although it is not illustrated in the drawing,
when both the power source 4 for the halogen light source and the
power source 26 for the LED light source can be used as the power
source for the other light source, or when the power source 4 for
the halogen light source and the power source 26 for the LED light
source are assumed to be used as the power source for the same type
of the light source, the power source shall not be included in the
transmitted-light illumination unit 27. In this case, the power
source can be non-removably contained in the frame 18.
[0066] As shown by the transmitted-light illumination units 27,
various types of transmitted-light illumination units that types,
combinations, and layouts of elements included therein are
different from one another can be used. For example, some of the
elements included in the transmitted-light illumination units 27
shown in FIG. 1 to 5, such as the mirror, can be displaced, or
layouts of the elements can be changed.
[0067] In the first embodiment, the transmitted-light illumination
unit 27 of the microscope 102 shown in FIG. 2 is configured that
the filters 24 can be manually inserted into and removed from the
optical path in the transmitted-light illumination optical system.
Alternatively, it can be configured that each of the filters 24 is
electrically-driven to be inserted into and removed from the
optical path, for example, by switch operation performed by a
user.
[0068] In this manner, in the first embodiment, with respect to one
type of the main body 30, any of the transmitted-light illumination
units 27 and any of the lamp houses 2 can be interchangeably used
among the microscopes 101 to 105. Therefore, by replacing the
transmitted-light illumination unit 27 and the lamp house 2 with
other types, the transmitted-light illumination optical system and
the transmitted light source can be easily changed to different
types. Thus, a user can select desired types of the
transmitted-light illumination optical system and the transmitted
light source. Furthermore, in the production of the microscopes, it
is only necessary to produce at least one type of the main body.
Therefore, it is possible to facilitate the production management
and the inventory management, and it is also possible to reduce the
production cost.
[0069] Subsequently, microscopes 201 to 203 as examples of a
microscope according a second embodiment of the present invention
are explained below with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.
[0070] The microscope 201 shown in FIG. 6 is associated with the
conventional example 1 (see FIG. 11), the microscope 202 shown in
FIG. 7 is associated with the conventional example 2 (see FIG. 12),
and the microscope 203 shown in FIG. 8 is associated with the
conventional example 4 (see FIG. 14). The portions identical to
those in the conventional examples 1, 2, and 4 are denoted with the
same reference numerals.
[0071] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, in the microscopes 201 to 203
according the second embodiment, a transmitted-light illumination
unit 28 as the transmitted-light illumination optical system is
contained in the base portion 18a of the frame 18. The
transmitted-light illumination unit 28 is removably held on the
frame 18 located on the near side with respect to an observer,
i.e., on a front side 31 of the base portion 18a in an integrated
manner. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the
transmitted-light illumination unit 28 is removably held on the
front side 31 of the base portion 18a by a means of a sliding
dovetail 28a. The transmitted-light illumination unit 28 slides on
the sliding dovetail 28a in a front-back direction from the front
side 31, and is attached to and detached from the base portion 18a.
Alternatively, the transmitted-light illumination unit 28 can be
removably held on the front side 31 of the base portion 18a by a
well-known means (not shown), for example, by three-sided butting
and screw fixation, or fit with an anti-rotation pin and
butting.
[0072] For example, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, a case where the
transmitted-light illumination unit 28 is removably mounted on the
front side 31 of the base portion 18a is explained. A dovetail
joint 46 formed on the upper side of a leading end of the
transmitted-light illumination unit 28 is fitted into a dovetail
groove 44 formed on the upper side of a front end of the base
portion 18a, and the dovetail joint 46 is slid, so that the
transmitted-light illumination unit 28 is removably mounted on the
front side 31 of the base portion 18a. On the dovetail groove 44,
one screw hole 48 is formed so as to penetrate through the dovetail
groove 44. In this configuration, the transmitted-light
illumination unit 28 is fitted into the dovetail groove 44, and an
edge face of the transmitted-light illumination unit 28 is brought
into contact with the butting side 18a1 of the base portion 18a. A
fixation screw 56 is inserted into the screw hole 48 on the
dovetail groove 44, and pressed against the dovetail joint 46
thereby fixing the dovetail joint 46. By this, the
transmitted-light illumination unit 28 can be fixed on the base
portion 18a. Furthermore, a rubber foot 42a is attached to the base
portion 18a at a position just under the dovetail joint 46 on the
front side of the bottom surface of the base portion 18a, so that
even when a load is applied to the base or the like, the
low-strength dovetail joint 46 is difficult to deform, and thus it
is possible to prevent a decrease in illumination performance due
to tilting of an optical axis 58 of the illumination. Just by
tightening the screw 56, the transmitted-light illumination unit 28
can be automatically positioned from right to left or up and down
by the dovetail groove 44 and the dovetail joint 46. Therefore, the
transmitted-light illumination unit 28 can be fixed easily with
high position reproducibility.
[0073] Furthermore, for example, as shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, the
transmitted-light illumination unit 28 can be removably mounted on
the front side 31 of the base portion 18a. In this case, a notch 60
is formed on the upper side of the front end of the base portion
18a, and the transmitted-light illumination unit 28 is mounted on
the notch 60. Two screw holes 62 horizontally-penetrating through
the transmitted-light illumination unit 28 with respect to a
front-back direction are formed on a lower part of the
transmitted-light illumination unit 28. Two screw holes 64
vertically-penetrating through the transmitted-light illumination
unit 28 with respect to the front-back direction are formed on both
sides of the center of the transmitted-light illumination unit 28
in the front-back direction. In this configuration, the
transmitted-light illumination unit 28 is arranged on the notch 60,
and a leading end face and a lower end face of the
transmitted-light illumination unit 28 are brought into contact
with butting sides 18a1 and 18a2 of the base portion 18a,
respectively. Then, fixation screws 66 are inserted into the screw
holes 62, and driven in screw holes 70 on the base portion 18a,
respectively. And, fixation screws 68 are inserted into the screw
holes 64, and driven in screw holes 72 on the base portion 18a,
respectively. By this, the transmitted-light illumination unit 28
can be fixed on the base portion 18a. This configuration makes
possible to ensure the stiffness because of the abutting contact
with the butting sides 18a1 and 18a2. Furthermore, the rubber feet
42 can be arranged on the front side of the bottom surface of the
base portion 18a, so that it is possible to enhance the stability
of tie microscope.
[0074] In the microscope 201 shown in FIG. 6, the transmitted-light
illumination unit 28 includes the FS 6, the mirror 7, and the
window lens 8. In the microscope 202 shown in FIG. 7, the
transmitted-light illumination unit 28 further includes the filters
24 in addition to the FS 6, the mirror 7, and the window lens 8. In
the microscope 203 shown in FIG. 8, the transmitted-light
illumination unit 28 includes the FS 6, the window lens 8, the
mirror 7, and the first lens group 9a.
[0075] The three types of the transmitted-light illumination units
28 shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 are interchangeable with one another.
Incidentally, in the microscope 203 shown in FIG. 8, the
configurations of the condenser lens 9, the stage holder 20, and
the condenser holder 21 need to be modified in the same manner as
the conventional example 4 (see FIG. 14).
[0076] In this manner, in the second embodiment, in addition to the
same effect as the first embodiment, the transmitted light source
and the transmitted-light illumination optical system are
configured to be removable and replaceable with respect to one type
of the main body 30 separately. Therefore, it is easy to configure
an operation unit to be arranged on the surface of the main body
30. The operation unit includes an operation unit for operating
opening and closing of the FS 6, an operation unit for operating
insertion and removal of the filters 24, and the like. Depending on
the makeup, the microscopes 201 to 203 according to the second
embodiment may be produced at lower cost than the microscopes 101
to 105 according to the first embodiment.
[0077] Subsequently, microscopes 301 and 302 as examples of a
microscope according to a third embodiment of the present invention
are explained below with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0078] The microscope 301 shown in FIG. 9 is associated with the
conventional example 3 (see FIG. 13), and the microscope 302 shown
in FIG. 10 is associated with the conventional example 5 (see FIG.
15). The portions identical to those in the conventional examples 3
and 5 are denoted with the same reference numerals. Furthermore,
the microscope according to the third embodiment includes the
transmitted-light illumination unit 28 employed in the second
embodiment, and the description of the transmitted-light
illumination unit 28 is omitted.
[0079] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in the microscopes 301 and 302
according the third embodiment, the transmitted-light illumination
unit 28 as the transmitted-light illumination optical system is
contained in the front side 31 of the base portion 18a of the frame
18. The transmitted-light illumination unit 28 is removably held on
the frame 18 located on the near side with respect to an observer,
i.e., on the front side 31 of the base portion 18a in an integrated
manner. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 10, the
transmitted-light illumination unit 28 is removably held on the
front side 31 of the base portion 18a by the means of the sliding
dovetail 28a. Alternatively, the transmitted-light illumination
unit 28 can be removably held on the front side 31 of the base
portion 18a by a well-known means (not shown), for example, by
three-sided butting and screw fixation, or fit with an
anti-rotation pin and butting. Furthermore, for example, the
configuration shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B or the configuration shown
in FIGS. 18A and 18B as described above in the second embodiment
can be used.
[0080] The power source 26 for the LED light source is
non-removably contained in the frame 18, and connected to both the
pin 2a for connecting the power source 26 electrically to the lamp
house 2 and a pin 28b for connecting the power source 26
electrically to the transmitted-light illumination unit 28.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, when the transmitted-light
illumination unit 28 including the light source is inserted into
the base portion 18a via the sliding dovetail 28a, the LED light
source 25 contained in the transmitted-light illumination unit 28
is electrically connected to the power source 26 for the LED light
source via the pin 28b.
[0081] In this manner, in the third embodiment, in addition to the
same effects as the first and second embodiments, either when the
LED light source 25 is arranged on the rear side 32 of the base
portion 18a or when the LED light source 25 is arranged right below
the observation optical axis on the front side 31 of the base
portion 18a, the power source 26 contained in the frame 18 can be
used. Therefore, even when the transmitted-light illumination
optical system is changed, it is economical because there is no
need to replace the power source for the light source.
[0082] In the above third embodiment, the LED light source 25 is
used as the light source. It is also possible to use the halogen
light source 1 instead of the LED light source 25. Even when the
halogen light source 1 is used as the light source, it is possible
to achieve the same action and effect as the third embodiment.
[0083] The first to third embodiments of the present invention are
explained above. In the first to third embodiments, the microscope
using the transmitted-light illumination is described. However, the
type of illumination is not limited to the transmitted-light
illumination. The microscope according to the present invention can
be applied to the one that does not use the transmitted-light
illumination, for example, the one using only an epi-illumination
without using the transmitted-light illumination. In this case, for
example, the transmitted-light illumination unit and the lamp house
are just removed from the main body of the microscope.
[0084] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur
to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its
broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and
representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly,
various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit
or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *